My wife and her music partner wrote an extra verse for one of the sea chanteys they frequently sing, in which they make a blatant plea for donations. It's kind of hokey, but it never fails to get a laugh.

I once heard two performers do it this way: Between songs, one turned to the other and said, in a pathetic voice, "Do you think they'll give us enough tips so grandma can have that operation?" That got a good laugh, too. Everyone knew it was hokum.

Doing it with humor can at least diminish the embarrassment you feel at asking for tips.

However, I once saw a busker with a sign taped in his guitar case that said, "Saving up for a hooker." It prompted my 8-year-old son to ask, "What's a hooker?" I did NOT appreciate that.

Coffeehouses in this area usually also sell coffee beans in bulk, and are willing to "tip" each performer with a free pound of coffee beans. When the performer's family comes along, they sometimes get free coffee, ice cream cones, or whatever is available.

Once at an arts festival, I wheedled free T-shirts for all of us. They had given them to the volunteer workers, who had been there since morning, but hadn't thought of giving them to musicians, who showed up later. This was in addition to the agreed-upon fee. Moral: various freebies are often available, but you may have to ask for them.